Page 147 - Modular design for machine tools

Engineering Guides and Future Perspectives of Modular Design 107

milling modules. In addition, the test bed facilitates 3 kW laser heat
treatment and grinding [35]. In this processing complex, must we employ
modular design?
For the sake of further consideration of whether the modular design
is mandatory in designing the complex, a quick note is given below.
Consequently, in viewing that a protruded development of the modular
design has been realized in the third phase of its developing history by
applying it to flexible manufacturing, the necessity is, in part, touched
on the modular design in flexible manufacturing. In fact, (1) in the FMS,
the basic module is that of the FMC, compact FMC, or system machine,
which is duly of modular construction in certain cases, and (2) in the
FMC and system machine, the basic modules are those of unit and unit
complex.
More specifically, not only is the system itself of cell-based modular
type, but also the cell has begun to prevail as the growing installation
number of FMC in the SME. In addition, we must be aware that the
system machine and machining complex are capable of working in stand-
alone mode [36]. In due course, the SMEs are, as already stated and with
no exception, very keen to install these new machines at the beginning
of the 21st century instead of the FMC of robot or pallet pool type (see
Fig. 1-17). These FMCs are of typical conventional type and have so far
been as the most popular FMC.
Within a system sphere, recently the Cincinnati Milacron has mer-
chandised a kit for in-house building cell called Profit Shop—Concept,
This idea has been well known for a long time and employed widely by
the enterprise; however, such a commercial-based kit has not been on
the market. For example, in the EMO Show of 1997 in Hannover, the
company displayed a system consisting of vertical MC and CNC turn-
ing machine. Actually, people can purchase separately the machine tool,
robot, automated warehouse, briquetting press for swarf disposal, and
so on from the related manufacturers, and integrated them into a
system. This is of course one of the variants of modular design.
Regarding the future perspective of the modular principle in design-
ing the machining and processing complexes, furthermore, the basic
necessity is to scrutinize the foresight of the future machine tools [37].
In accordance with the prediction, it may be said that the modular prin-
ciple is not decaying, but is maintaining its importance with certain
necessities. In short, the modular design is, at least, requested in the
manufacture of the system machine for the island automation, dexter-
ous machine tool to be compatible with remanufacturing issues, and also
the culture- and mindset-harmonized machine tools. Although there
remains something to be seen, we could need an innovative variant of
the modular design for a leading machine tool in the future, which can
handle simultaneously the better accuracy and higher- speed machining